Ellee Dietzman (‘26) is excited to pursue her career as an ultrasound technician at Boise State after graduation this spring. While she looks forward to the independence and new opportunities that college will bring, she also recognizes the value that her high school experience has had in shaping who she is today.
“I feel like sometimes I would love to just skip and go to college, but this is mandatory for me to become a better person and to be smarter and figure out everything,” she says, describing how while high school can be described as “mandatory,” it’s important for personal growth. For Ellee, these years have been about so much more than academics, they’ve been about developing leadership skills, building lasting friendships, and learning how to support the people around her.
The friendships Ellee has made throughout high school have continued to support her, especially those she made while participating in Mead’s cheer team. Through countless practices, games, and competitions, she formed strong bonds with her teammates and grew into a leader within the program.
She described the best part of cheer being the relationships she made with her teammates, especially as captain her junior and senior year. In that role, she wasn’t just responsible for helping the team succeed during performances, she was someone her teammates could rely on for encouragement and support.
“I try to be in charge and try to be the best leader I can, [and] to be there for every girl and make sure they know that I love them so much. I feel like making sure they know that they’re loved and they’re welcome is most important.” Her leadership style focused less on authority and more on creating a positive and supportive environment for everyone. Teammates knew they could come to her with questions or simply for encouragement because she prioritized kindness and inclusion, helping foster a sense of community.
Ellee has been a leader since she joined the team her freshman year because of her dedication to the team and overall kindness towards new cheerleaders. Even early on, she stood out as someone who was willing to help others learn routines, offer advice, and make sure new members feel comfortable. Over time, those qualities only grew stronger as she took on more responsibility and became a role model for younger teammates who looked up to her.
From a first hand view, I can confidently say that her leadership made my first year in cheer one of the best. She created an environment where everyone felt supported and valued, which made it easier for new members to find confidence and enjoy being part of the team. Her encouragement and genuine care for the team left a lasting impression on many of the athletes she worked with.
While she isn’t continuing cheer at the collegiate level, she wants to continue helping people through a degree in ultrasound technology. Her desire to work in healthcare reflects the same compassion and dedication she showed as a teammate and captain.
Whether leading on the sidelines or helping patients in the future, Ellee’s ability to support and uplift others will continue to define the path she takes after graduation.
